Bernadette A. Toonen

Bernadette Toonen, age 64, passed away Thursday evening, January 12, 2012 at the Appleton Medical Center, following a brief battle with cancer. Bernadette was born in Dubuque, Iowa on February 7, 1947, daughter of the late George and Anne (Oestern) Trieweiler. As a young woman, she attended high school in Iowa, and after relocating to Wisconsin worked at Pechmann's, Kobussen Buses, MidTec, and most recently at the receptionist at Air Wisconsin. She enjoyed camping, flowers, cooking, visiting family in Montana, and spending time with her precious grandchildren.

From an early age, Bernadette was the perfect 'big sister', welcoming each new sibling with open arms, teaching them the ropes, and diligently protecting them from harm. It was a trait she never outgrew, and to the end she was the helper, the nurturer, the organizer… the cook!, the one everyone else depended on. And she relished the role, making every birthday, every Christmas, every day a special event for someone. Bernadette had that true generosity of spirit that is so rarely seen. To her, handing out the big and small kindnesses that make life more enjoyable for others was a natural as breathing . She never thought about it, she just did it.

While some little girls want to grow up and become nurses, doctors, teachers, Bernadette always wanted to be a mother. That was her goal, her vocation, and her greatest happiness. She was a mother who lived for her children, and who, simply by example, instilled in them the great values of honesty, kindness, generosity and hard work. Her greatest hope was that they be good people with the kind of family values that made them stick together through thick and thin. When she saw that in her children, she was a happy, contented person who felt her life had been a success.

As wonderful motherhood was for Bernadette, being a grandmother brought her even more joy. She was totally devoted to her grandchildren, and in return, received their undying love and respect. Imagine being the kind of person that grandkids actually want to do yard work and housework for, and you have imagined Bernadette. She was the organizer of all the events that became the highlights of family life – the apple-picking trip in the Fall, the annual trip to cut down the REAL Christmas trees every December, the trips to Bay Beach with the kids and then the grandkids, the camping trips, the bonfires, all of life's simplest pleasures. These times will never be the same without her.

A great sister, a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a wonderful — and in many cases, lifelong — friend, the perfect in-law, a most kind and generous person, this was Bernadette Trieweiler Toonen. May those whose lives she touched be inspired to keep her spirit alive forever.

Bernadette is survived by her husband: Jim Toonen of Kaukauna; three children: Chris (Jennie) Bigelow, Eric (Kristine) Bigelow, and Erin (Doug) Hidde, all of Kaukauna; nine grandchildren: Tyler Vanden Heuvel, Abby Bigelow, Cole Bigelow, Trevor Bigelow, Zachary Gould, Jordan Hidde, Alex Hidde, Nathan Hidde, and Steven Hidde; two sisters: Mary (Gary) Trieweiler of Dubuque and Jane Trieweiler of Torrance, California; two brothers: Terry (Carol) Trieweiler of Whitefish, Montana and David (Sharon) Trieweiler of Seattle; an aunt: Ruth Nauman; an uncle: Gerry Trieweiler; and her very dear and special friends Mark Propst, Julie Hemmingway, and Kathy Hetu. Bernadette was preceded in death by a sister-in-law: Roseann Toonen.

The funeral liturgy for Bernadette will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 309 Desnoyer Street in Kaukauna with Fr. Tom Pomeroy officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday after 4:00 PM. Visiting hours will conclude with a prayer service at 8:00 PM.

The family wishes to offer their sincere thanks to everyone in the Oncology Department at the Appleton Medical Center. Your kindness, compassion, and love will never be forgotten.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920-766-6200